Photochemical conversion of solar energy. Semiannual progress report 1 Jan-30 Jun 1975

Technical Report · Thu Jul 31 04:00:00 EDT 1975

OSTI ID:7334932

Lichtin, N N

Totally-illuminated multi-thin-layer (TI-MTL) iron-thionine (Fe-TH+) photogalvanic cells have been constructed with SnO/sub 2/ and InSnO/sub 2/, respectively, as transparent anode and cathode. A .07% sunlight engineering efficiency was achieved with a 4-element cell with 8l micrometer electrode separations. Single element TI-TL SnO/sub 2//Pt Fe-TH+ cells have been sealed by enclosure and decline in output with time identified as due to leaching of tin from the SnO/sub 2/ electrode. Reverse-bias experiments have indicated that output of the TI-TL SnO/sub 2//Pt Fe-TH+ cell is not limited by electrode activation processes. Studies of dependence of cell output on electrode spacing indicate that bulk back reactions are the principle limiting factors. Solvent, pH, ionic strength and anion effects on the kinetics of electron transfer from Fe(II) to triplet TH+ or methylene blue (MB+) have been investigated. Ground state quenching of T(1) MB+ as well as quenching of its S(1) and T(1) states by Fe(III) have been studied. Solvent and/or anion effects on the kinetics of oxidation of TH3(+) and TH2(+) by Fe(III) have been examined. Limitation of (phi)Br/sub 2/ from photolysis of aqueous acidic FeBr/sub 3/ by accumulation of Fe(II) has been demonstrated. (phi)Br/sub 2/ has been shown to be independent of intensity of 436 nm light and of wavelength from 366 to 578 nm. The report of the Osgood Hill workshop on photochemical formation of fuel was completed and distributed.

• Research Organization: Boston Univ., Mass. (USA). Dept. of Chemistry
• OSTI ID: 7334932
• Report Number(s): PB-246156; NSF/RANN/SE/AER-72-03597/A03/75-2
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
140501* -- Solar Energy Conversion-- Photovoltaic Conversion
AMINES
BROMIDES
BROMINE COMPOUNDS
CHALCOGENIDES
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
EFFICIENCY
ELECTROCHEMICAL CELLS
ELEMENTS
HALIDES
HALOGEN COMPOUNDS
HETEROCYCLIC COMPOUNDS
IRON
METALS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC SULFUR COMPOUNDS
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PHOTOGALVANIC CELLS
THIONINE
TIN COMPOUNDS
TIN OXIDES
TRANSITION ELEMENTS